'Ido Presents: Sound Bites' - Vecks (album review)

Having the right voice for Hip Hop is a handy weapon and when clever rhyme writing skills and faultless delivery complete your arsenal; half the battle is already won. Thankfully Vecks fires off over a heavy selection of Ido’s beats ensuring that victory is his on his debut LP ‘Sound Bites’.

Ido’s 13 original productions will keep your neck snapping for just under 40 minutes (a very listener-friendly length for an album) as Vecks effortlessly raps on an egotistical tip. If you’re looking for social commentary and other such sombre subjects then look elsewhere. If often hilarious put downs, punch lines and self-aggrandisement is more your thing then look no further than a place that sells this CD.

Vecks invites a select few guests along in the form of Longusto, Scizzahs, Enlish and Teej – all of whom contribute to the overall impression of the album.

‘Ido Presents…Vecks: Sound Bites’ is out now and is available at Suspect Packages.

'In Pursuit of Harmony' - Wordsmith (album review)

Nearly 4 years has passed since Wordsmith dropped his debut LP ‘The Roadman Showcase’. Now he’s back with follow up set ‘In Pursuit of Harmony’, an album sure to make a mark on UK Hip Hop this year.

Wordsmith takes a mature approach to many issues – the ins and outs of weed smoking (‘The Cro Debate’), being a father (‘Son’), gun crime (‘Never Would’ve Thought’), the ups and downs of life (‘Carry On’ and ‘Beautiful Life’) and today’s youth (‘They Don’t Seem To Care’). When he’s not proving he could teach an MP a thing or two he’s straight illing out with his partners in rhyme – check ‘Lok Dat’, ‘Runaway’ and the ridiculously tense ‘Leave It Alone’ for a few examples of that.

With perfectly crafted rhymes Wordsmith proves he’s not a one trick pony – he’s a well rounded artist who has fashioned an actual album, rather than a collection of songs. This LP really deserves one of those track by track breakdowns; every one is of such high quality.

With a list of producers like this (Apa-Tight, Vee Kay, Chemo, Beat Butcha, Ido, Tom Caruana and Show n Prove) I don’t have to tell you that the beats are proper, heavy Hip Hop with an emphasis on the uplifting. The fact that there’s not a skip-able track on here speaks volumes – you’ll wanna listen right through.

Mic duties are shared with Foreign Beggars, Dr. Syntax, Dubbledge, Micall Parknsun, Skribblah, Diamond Ruff, Big Ben, Genesis Elijah, Supar Novar and Ahmos –all of whom put in sterling work.

‘In Pursuit of Harmony’ is out now and is available from Suspect Packages as a download or on CD. Support the music, pay the pounds, don’t download! Check the snippets in my last post to get a taste of greatness!